Corey Grozier
Corey is a first year Ph.D student in the Department of Kinesiology, studying under Dr. Matthew Harkey. His interests include utilizing clinical imaging and biomechanics to identify physiological changes to the knee following anterior cruciate ligament injury. Corey received his master’s degree in Exercise Science from the University of North Alabama with a concentration in nutrition and dietary supplementation with medicinal mushrooms. He received his bachelor of science degree from the University of West Florida where his undergraduate research focused on chronic ankle sprain instability and postural stability. Corey currently serves as a research assistant in the Department of Kinesiology. Contact Corey at grozierc@msu.edu.
Jessica Tolzman
Jessica is a first year master’s student in Kinesiology with a concentration in Exercise Physiology studying under Dr. Matthew Harkey. Her research interests include recovery following an anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and ultrasound assessment. She completed her undergraduate degree at the University of New England in 2022 for Applied Exercise Science. She serves as the Master’s Student Liaison in the Kinesiology Graduate Student Organization (KGSO). Contact Jessica at tolzmanj@msu.edu.
Reid Davis
Reid Davis is a second-year dual-PhD student in the Department of Kinesiology and Department of Psychology in the Clinical Science program at Michigan State University where she studies psychological implications of returning to play following sport-related concussions. She conducts research under the guidance of her advisors, Dr. Tracey Covassin and Dr. Jason Moser. While earning her Master’s Degree in Clinical Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Reid was involved with the Department of Exercise Science and the UNC Athletic Department to better understand psychological implications of sport-related injuries. She earned her BA in Psychology and Sport & Entertainment Management at the University of South Carolina-Columbia. Contact Reid at davise82@msu.edu.
Lili Klein
Lili is a first year PhD student in the Department of Kinesiology, studying under Dr. Tracey Covassin. Her interests include the impact of concussion on autonomic nervous system function, with a focus on examining heart rate variability as a potential physiological biomarker for concussion diagnosis and recovery. She also works with identifying clinical symptom profiles of concussion in collegiate athletes via the Concussion Clinical Profiles Screen. Lili received her Bachelor of Science degree from Michigan State University where she worked as an undergraduate research assistant in the Sport Related Concussion Labs. Lili currently works as a graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Kinesiology. Contact Lili at kleinli3@msu.edu.
Recent Alumni
Morgan Anderson, Ph.D.
Morgan’s research interests include the neuropsychological, psychosocial, and physical effects of sport-related concussion (SRC). She completed her master’s degree in Kinesiology-Exercise Science at the University of Arkansas in 2017. Her thesis compared before-school and after-school neurocognitive performance and symptoms to determine the optimal time to administer computerized neurocognitive testing. She graduated with a Ph.D. from MSU in 2021.
Tom Birchmeier, Ph.D., ATC, CSCS
Tom graduated with a Ph.D. in Kinesiology from MSU in 2021. Tom received his Master’s Degree in Athletic Training from Indiana University and Bachelor’s Degree from Hope College. His primary research focus is enhancing participation in vigorous physical activity while mitigating risk of second injury among young individuals who have undergone ACL reconstruction (ACLR). He uses ACLR as a model to study the neurophysiological effects of traumatic knee injury that prevent returning to vigorous physical activity and to investigate assessments that can identify individuals at risk of a second ACL injury.
Katherine Collins, Ph.D.
Katie earned a Ph.D. in Kinesiology with a concentration in cognitive and motor neuroscience. Her research interests include utilizing clinical imaging and biomechanical outcomes to better understand return to physical activity following ACL reconstruction. Katie received her Master’s Degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Applied Physiology and Neuromechanics from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Her master’s research focused on biomechanical outcomes and sensory reweighting following intervention in individuals with a history of ACL reconstruction.
Caroline Lisee, Ph.D., ATC
Caroline received her Ph.D. from MSU in 2020 and is currently a post-doctoral fellow in the MOTION lab at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She studies aspects of muscular performance and physical activity after ACL injury to help identify clinical tools to reduce risk of re-injury and developing osteoarthritis. Caroline received a 2017 Doctoral Research Assistant Grant from the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Research and Education Foundation to support her ongoing work investigating the impact of involved limb quadriceps dysfunction on single leg movement quality after ACLR. Her master’s research assessed limb symmetry in healthy subjects as a means for guiding objective return to play criteria following ACL reconstruction.
Kyle Petit, Ph.D., ATC
Kyle received his Ph.D. from MSU in 2020. His research primarily focused around the influence of premorbid and post-injury risk factors on concussion recovery. Specifically, Kyle’s dissertation looked into the association between post-concussion physical activity participation and concussion recovery outcomes in college-aged adults. Kyle now serves as an Assistant Professor of Athletic Training at the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota.
Alyssa Pollard-McGrandy, Ph.D., ATC
Alyssa M. Pollard-McGrandy, Ph.D., LAT, ATC, is an assistant professor in the Department of Kinesiology at Michigan State University. Her research focuses on the management and rehabilitation of sports-related injuries, particularly concussions, emphasizing evidence-based approaches to enhance clinical practices and athlete outcomes. As a dedicated educator and mentor, Pollard-McGrandy guides students in research and clinical practice, fostering the next generation of athletic trainers. She has mentored numerous students in research on concussion management, injury rehabilitation and sex differences in injury outcomes, many of whom have presented at national conferences and co-authored publications. Through interdisciplinary collaborations, Pollard-McGrandy advances concussion protocols and injury management strategies. Her commitment to research, teaching, and mentorship supports the health and safety of athletes and enhances athletic training education. Contact Alyssa at pollar77@msu.edu.
Aaron Zynda, Ph.D.
Aaron earned a Ph.D. student in the Department of Kinesiology in 2023, studying with Dr. Tracey Covassin. His primary research interests revolve around risk factors associated with prolonged recovery following sport-related concussion (SRC). Aaron previously worked as a clinical research coordinator at Scottish Rite for Children Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Center and became a Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) in 2018. At Scottish Rite, his work focused on the use of DHA as a treatment following SRC and the association between sleep quality and recovery following SRC in the pediatric population. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Movement Science from the University of Michigan in 2015.